Photo: Kim S.
Unveiling the Reality Behind Our Royalton Antigua Experience
Imagine Antigua’s sun-kissed shores, a serene retreat calling for a much-needed escape. Recently, my husband and I ventured there for a short vacation. It wasn’t just for the stunning views but to celebrate my best friend’s 40th birthday.
As we anticipate turning 40, this trip kicks off a year of milestones. My friend picked the Royalton Antigua – a luxury Marriott Autograph Collection All-inclusive resort. It promised nothing short of luxury and indulgence. My husband I were excited for my first adults-only vacation in years.
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For three nights, we stayed in a Luxury, All-Inclusive Junior Suite with stunning mountain views, expecting a five-star experience. However, our stay revealed disappointments, making us question the true Royalton Antigua experience.
Photo: Kim S,
Arrival: A Mixed Bag of First Impressions of the Royalton Antigua
Upon entering the Royalton Antigua, we were awed by its sheer beauty. Lush greenery and stunning architecture greeted us, promising a getaway worthy of our anticipation. The friendly staff added to the warm welcome, presenting us with refreshing welcome drinks – a small gesture that set a positive tone for our stay. Check-in was a breeze, and we were swiftly directed to ‘SCORE,’ the onsite restaurant, to tide us over while our room was prepared. However, our excitement was dampened by the underwhelming dining experience that followed.
Despite the picturesque setting, the food fell short of our expectations. My bean burrito and margarita lacked the finesse and flavor one would associate with a luxury resort, leaving us longing for more. It was a disappointing start to our Royalton Antigua adventure, but little did we know, there were more surprises in store.
Our Homebase: Room 11-512
Let me paint you a picture of our room at the Royalton Antigua, room 11-512. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by a cozy bedroom area featuring a king bed, a comfortable couch, and a flat-screen TV. And oh, let’s not forget about the balcony, offering a stunning view of lush greenery, a real treat, especially for my husband. He can’t get enough of trees.
On the right side, you’ll find the bathroom area with a mirrored closet housing a minibar and a safe.
The bathroom itself boasts a double sink, perfect for couples like my husband and me, along with a shower big enough for both of us to enjoy together, equipped with not one, but three shower heads – two rainfall style and the other detachable, a personal favorite.
The toilet is in a separate room, a feature I always appreciate, especially when unexpected tummy troubles hit, as they did for my poor husband on day two of our trip, courtesy of the questionable hotel food. Unfortunately, our initial excitement turned into disappointment upon noticing the lack of cleanliness in the room. Debris scattered on the floor and a deceased fly was left unattended for two whole days until I took matters into my own hands, reaching out to the hotel concierge via the Marriott Bonvoy App.
@beautyandthebump Quick room tour of our Junior King Suite at the Royalton Antigua #hotelroom #antiguaandbarbuda #traveltiktoks
Thank goodness for my trusty pack of cleaning supplies, stocked with disinfecting wipes and Lysol spray – a lifesaver in situations like these.
Photo: Kim S.
The Food and Dining Experience: A Taste Test of Disappointment
At first glance, the Royalton Antigua seemed to offer a promising array of culinary delights with its multiple onsite restaurants.
The Gourmet Marché, boasting an international buffet with a plethora of options, became our go-to spot for breakfast. Offering everything from Asian to Italian cuisine, and healthy and vegan choices. However, our hopes for gastronomic satisfaction quickly dwindled as we ventured into other dining establishments.
The SCORE Brewhouse, while equipped with big-screen TVs for sports enthusiasts, failed to impress with lackluster pub grub during our lunch visits. The Hunter Steakhouse left my husband unimpressed with its supposedly authentic steaks, only for him to fall ill the next day – a coincidence, perhaps, but disconcerting.
Photo: Kim S.
Even the Caribbean Restaurant & Grill, with its promise of authentic Caribbean fare and scenic bay views, left us with lukewarm dishes and a sour taste in our mouths, exacerbated by a mishap with a food order that left us feeling gaslighted by the staff.
Photo: Kim S.
Our culinary journey at the Royalton Antigua culminated in disappointment, with lukewarm food and questionable quality plaguing our every meal. Regrettably, a significant portion of our party, myself included, fell victim to a stomach bug. As a result, we were concerned about the resort’s hygiene standards. As someone who values fine dining, this experience served as a stark reminder of the pitfalls of all-inclusive resorts. Upon returning home, a quick scan of recent reviews confirmed our suspicions. Several past guests echoed similar issues regarding food quality and illness. It was a bitter end to what was supposed to be a palate-pleasing getaway, leaving us with a newfound skepticism towards the culinary offerings of the Royalton Antigua.
A Spa Retreat Amidst Mixed Experiences
Amidst the highs and lows of our stay at the Royalton Antigua, there was one shining moment of relaxation – a couples massage surprise from my thoughtful husband. In a luxury all-inclusive resort like this, indulging in spa treatments is practically a vacation essential. While extra services like the spa come with a price tag, my husband’s $400 investment for our couples massage proved to be worth every penny.
Before our blissful massage, we enjoyed an hour of hydro-circuit therapy, complete with cold and hot water plunge pools and a jacuzzi. However, our relaxation was briefly interrupted by a hiccup – while the men’s sauna and steam rooms were operational, the women’s facilities were unfortunately out of order.
Despite this minor setback, the massage was heavenly, nearly lulling me into a peaceful slumber until my husband’s unexpected serenade of snores broke the tranquility. Overall, our spa experience provided a much-needed respite from the ups and downs of our Royalton Antigua adventure, serving as a reminder that amidst the challenges, there are still moments of pure relaxation to be savored.
Overall Condition of the Hotel: A Closer Look Behind the Facade
Despite its initial allure, the Royalton Antigua revealed a less-than-ideal state upon closer inspection. Signs of wear and tear were all too apparent, with visible mold, cracking ceilings, and missing tiles marring the property’s once-charming ambiance. The elevators, cramped and lacking adequate ventilation, only added to our discomfort, serving as a stark reminder of the hotel’s neglected upkeep. To our dismay, encounters with unwelcome guests – including a cockroach in my best friend’s room and another during my own ascent to our quarters – further highlighted maintenance issues that left much to be desired.
Other Issues: When Expectations Fall Short
Besides the physical shortcomings of the hotel, we experienced several disappointments that tainted our overall impression. The hotel staff overlooked my best friend’s birthday requests, resulting in a failed celebration. When we returned from a catamaran outing, instead of birthday decorations, we found a Happy Anniversary badge on our door and a bed decorated with the number 40, which was a letdown.
Photo: Kim S.
Would We Stay Here Again?
While the Royalton Antigua may present itself as a luxury destination, our experience revealed a reality far removed from the promised paradise. Subpar cleanliness, lackluster dining options, and visible signs of neglect tarnished our stay, leaving us with little desire to return. As a loyal Marriott consumer, I cannot in good conscience recommend this resort and would caution against future visits. The poor alcohol quality worsened our experience, leading us to seek different accommodations for future Antigua trips.
